One day I was spending some time on craigslist looking for a simple vanagon to fix and use as a daily driver. I was not looking for a Syncro because they are rare and very expensive. So I was on craigslist and sundenly I saw an ad that says:

"Classic 1986 Volkswagon Vanagon for sale $750 OBO. Needs TLC and some engine work. Does not run, died due to alternator. Perfect for someone that would want to restore it. Interior is in good condition and exterior has a little rust. Serious inquiries only. "

and looking at the picture I figured that it was a syncro because of the rear tank filler. The day after that I was there with the Uhaul tow dolly, a 8h drive down from Nashville TN to Lexington SC... bought it for 600 bucks, loaded it and took about 10h to come back to Nashville. All this within a 24h tow dolly rental (pickup the wednesday at 6 pm and returned it the thursday at 6:05pm) it was kind of intense but well worth it

Then the story began; I decided to make THE ULTIMATE expedition vehicle.

I started a blog on another forum but stopped...I thought that the samba would be the best place to be._________________conversions:
www.boxeer.com

Welcome! I'm new here as well and doing something similar with a similar vehicle. So let me know what your ideas are for making this into something without a pop top that can support extended trips. I have the additional challenge of having a family of 4, which makes for a challenge to have sleeping space inside the vehicle in addition. For 2, I think these are perfect.

Glad you found a Syncro, i think you may have inquired about mine some time back. I decided to keep mine and sell the Westy, which I did with in a week.

Good luck with the project, I've had fun with mine so far. Sounds like you made a scaore on the purchase. Like Doug, I hope to convert mine to a usable vehicle for the five of us. I'm looking at installing a rock-n-roll bed, one jump seat and build a pantry behind the driver. long term will be a high top, but so far, none catch my eye._________________Imagine that, theres not an "h" in either Westfalia or Syncro?

In order to do a Westfalia roof conversion I looked up Craigslist again(Thanks Craigslist) for a camper this time and I found a 1984 1.6 diesel Vanagon Westfalia, in Arkansas! it was the same Uhaul story (24h trip).

That's a nice score for 400$, As you're obviously breaking it do you fancy helping the UK owner of a Canadian spec Vanagon Syncro Westy out? I'm looking out for a pair of front turn signals and a pair of rear side markers. Euro spec didn't have side markers.

Starting the prep of the donor roof, It's pretty much remove all the reinforcement metal parts. They are welded and a little bit hard to deal with. I will say that the hardest part is to not mess up the section you want to keep

In parralel it's needed to cut the Syncro solid roof. I had couple dog bowls arround and one appeared to be the perfect radius

Once the syncro solid roof is removed it's necessary to weld the attachment plate that have the three threaded nuts that com from the Westy. This plate is thin and easy to bend, It took me a while to get it off clean and straight.

By the way, because I plan to carry some extra stuff on the roof I reinforced this area. New welder, I had to train on this side...

I had to make the syncro roof prep as well, wiring and grinding to make it fit like a glove!

Wow, great scores and start to an awesome project! Hope you saved all the diesel bits to help install that diesel engine you'll want for a world-tour camper. _________________Karl Mullendore
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Wow, great scores and start to an awesome project! Hope you saved all the diesel bits to help install that diesel engine you'll want for a world-tour camper.

Hi Karl,
I plan to fit either a 2010 tdi CR (from jetta or golf) or a Boxer diesel that (If one availlable) could get shipped from europe. I like the idea of making the first Boxer diesel Vanagon on the planet but more I think more I want to go with the VW Tdi CR because of replacement parts available during the trip.

few exciting pics

I sold all the diesel bits as I'm starting all from scratch, I will have to go with a new bellhousing anyway.

Both of those swaps are going to be difficult, both are unsupported and undocumented.

I'm doing a similar swap - new common rail VM 2.8 turbo diesel(from jeep liberty, also used in london taxis etc) into an old 87 Jeep Comanche.

Undocumented and never done before, get ready to reinvent the wheel to do either swap.

I too dream of a subaru boxer diesel, getting the engine complete shipped to the US is not the problem(though presents a minor logistics issue in itself). It's dealing with the complicated electronics of the newer Subaru engines.

As Ben has noted several PIC's have the CANBUS built in - which can be used to replicate some of the various functions of the bus system._________________'91 Carat Westy